Political Blogs Not That Influential?

[K8-EEE]

Wow is it me or has there been a concerted effort by all Propaganda Central's usual outlets to nullify/villify the pesky internet? It must drive them crazy that we can all fact-check shrub! Anybody who cares enough to that is...according to the article BibleBelters are less inclined to get news off the internet.

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_national/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19860_4958978,00.html

[Kagemusha]

1. Excuse me but, what's the controversy here?...

Blogs are where a lot of people go to get commentary on the news, not necessarily original reporting of it. This isn't a revelation.

Edit: And just because it's the Moonie Times doesn't mean it's automatically false in all aspects.

[K8-EEE]

2. Ooops! It's Not EVEN The Moonie Times

I saw freepers talking about a similar article in the Moonie Times but this one isn't...will change the header...

[K8-EEE]

3. No I Mean In General There's A "Blogs Are So Crazy" Message

all the sudden, even on TV so many commentators are all the sudden using "internet" "blogs" interchangably with "conspiracy theories/craziness." It seems very calculated to me...IMO BushCo HATES 'the internets.' It's not as controllable as the other media, which I feel is very much controlled by BushCo corporate interests.

[annabanana]

4. They hate anything they can't buy and control

And believe you,me.. . .
They are doing their damnedest to do both.

(Support and Protect Net Neutrality!!)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

8. Did you read the tone of the article?Let's look at facts vs. opinion.

First these facts:

(from the article)

According to Dave Sifry, founder of the "Technorati" Web site that monitors and measures blog traffic, there are currently more than 52 million blogs worldwide. Together, they receive 1.6 million new postings every day. That works out to nearly 19 postings every second.

Sifry estimates that the blogosphere is doubling in size every 200 days.

Pretty impressive, no?

Yet, the tone of the article is condescending and calls out bloggers as conspiracy theorists. It does not discuss the real time fact checking and communication value.

Make no mistake, it's not just the politicians who are fearful of blogs. The MSM is seeing it's credibility diminished and tarnished by the enterprising news sources, (with real journalists) on the web.

And, BTW, the Moonie Times has a long history of cheer leading for the PNAC crowd. MKJ

[Kagemusha]

9. I know what the Moonie Times are thank you very much...

And they are masters at reporting truthful facts and lying with the tone. I know that very well.

But fact still is, blogs aren't the main source of news for most people.. why would they be? I go to DU for that.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

10. The article was about the influence of blogs, not how many people get

their news from them. Typical obscuring, although apparently not by the Moonie Times, after all.

Per the article, one in eight people get their news from the internet. However, their numbers regarding blogs are far more impressive. (see my previous post).


Regardless, it's the blogosphere that influences political events, by the real time sharing of pertinent information between a wide variety people with lots of resources at their disposal.

The article dismisses that influence, which is the OP's point. In the face of a sea change in how people relate to their government, this article pays it lip service only.

MKJ

[Kagemusha]

12. Well in case I'm not being explicit enough here...

There's no logical reason why not getting news from blogs should be a measure of their limited influence. That'd be a total misreading of their role and nature. The article shouldn't be used to argue blogs have limited influence.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

13. Well, I can't argue with that. (especially since we're both making the

same point, from slightly different directions).

:toast: MKJ

[Kagemusha]

14. Yep! Exactly.

Now what the Moonie Times would do is take this exact article, quote selectively from it and spin it hard with tone. The raw article by itself, doesn't support anywhere near the argument that the OP poster has been hearing... which fits the Moonie Times' MO.

I have no use for the fools.

[NOLADEM]

5. Blogs: Moonie Times not that Influential

Yeah, right.

Blogs are incredibly influential. SO MANY issues are seeded, vetted and launched from blogs, that the very opposite argument is far more credible.

Olbermann gets his entire show from DU most nights for crying out loud. And didnt CNN have a show that was basically ripping the headlines from the blogs and discussing them?

And would the FEC have bothered to regulate the activities of the blogs if they didn't matter?

This to me cries of a desperate, corrupt newspaper whistling past the graveyard. The truth of course is that blogs feed the major news outlets, and with their ever shrinking newsroom staff (due to the companies being run as a company and not a news organization), they will have an ever increasing reliance on the blogs.

Moonie Times indeed. Black is White, Up is Down, Jebus is a Korean Dude, etc.

Dont forget this...
http://www.iapprovethismessiah.com/2004/06/this-really-happened-at-senate-office.html

Ah, credibility.

[WilliamPitt]

6. Let 'em squalk

King Kanute once tried to command the tide. His feet got wet anyway.

[MADem]

7. Pay no attention to those folks behind the computer screens!!!!!

....I....am the GREAT...and POWERFUL....Wizard of OZ!!

http://www.conspiracyworld.com.nyud.net:8090/web/Articles/Article%20Images/moon_crowned.jpg

[LaPera]

11. The republican cry...because blogs aren't necessary for the sheep!!!

This is the republican cry...for every republican fuck up, lie & scandal, is the cry.... it's the lying "liberal media's" fault - Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, all of them just keep pounding away with that, they know the sheep are watchers & listeners, not readers (especially of blogs) The listeners (and watchers) hears it over & over again, it's the "liberal media" making up these terrible things about Bush/Republicans...And after hearing that shit 24/7 from all angles every day, no wonder why the republican sheep, won't look at facts, they are convinced you got them from the lying "liberal media". Great tactic, Limbaugh has made a career out of it and the rest of the republicans have realize it's effectiveness and ALL have jumped on board...

This is also part of Rove's major strategy for the November elections as well, along with Iraq, Iran, terrorism and pushing the fear buttons, that Dem's won't protect you...When you top it off with everything one hears is all a lie from the "liberal media"...The republicans then just fatherly say.... Trust us, we'll tell you the truth and we'll keep you safe - Vote Republican.